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Energetics Ed is a 501c3 non-profit bringing highly engaging energy education to young people. Solar Rollers is our flagship program - high school teams building and racing sophisticated solar-powered remote-control cars.

Solar Rollers

GET EXCITED ABOUT ENERGY EDUCATION

Form a team to design and build a solar-powered radio-controlled car,then race cooperatively against other area teams.

KEY Program COMPONENTS

Materials kit

Each team receives a sophisticated materials kit with all of the raw materials needed to build a complete Solar Roller -while allowing maximum design freedom. Top-of-the-line materials include SunPower solar cells, a large sheet of TenCate carbon fiber, brushless Castle Creations motor and speed controller, and much more.

online course

The Solar Rollers Online Pit Area guides teams through the process of designing, building, testing and racing. This multimedia course is supportive for the team members and also for the teacher or team leader who may also be working with these technologies for the first time.

Through the course, teams can ask questions of our staff and discuss challenges with other teams in their area.

A Solar Roller can be built and tested in about 40 hours of team time. Teams are typically made up of 5-10 students.

Trophy race

Six Competitions in One Full Day:

20 Questions Panel Quiz

Top Speed w/ Storage

PV-Direct Top Speed

PV-Direct Circuit Race

Main Trophy Race

Fastest Lap

Teams are challenged by a panel of experts on their knowledge of energy systems and solar. The top speed of their car is tested both with and without a battery - and they can let any driver try for the fastest lap of the day.

The main event is a 60-minute endurance race after limited solar charging - many teams are forced to make quick repairs during the race. 21 trophies go out to the teams at day's end.